These are the best restaurants in Malaysia that offer delicious Sarawak laksa
Sarawak laksa is rice vermicelli with soup made from an aromatic paste of fresh herbs and spices, and topped with prawns, chicken and shredded omelette that is very distinctive from its West Malaysia counterparts.
Choon Hui Cafe
The Sarawak laksa in Choon Hui café sets the standard. It is one of the most popular stalls in Kuching, and certainly one of its spiciest. The soup is rich, thick and full of flavour from the homemade paste, which is one of the defining elements in this luscious bowl. The food runs out quickly, so stragglers coming in after 10am for a bit of noodle comfort often leave disappointed.
34 Ban Hock Road, Kuching, Sarawak
Auntie Christina, Kedai Makanan Nam Chuan
Ask any Sarawakian about their iconic laksa, and they’ll tell you the Kuala Lumpur versions do not quite measure up. Auntie Christina hails from Kuching and she’s brought her home secrets with her; so far she’s doing a stand-up job of offering homesick Sarawakians a taste of home. Her prawn stock base is sweet; combined with her fresh homemade laksa paste, it results in a soup redolent of spices. What’s more, she uses the coarser-textured meehoon that is characteristic of this dish. Food presentation is beautiful too.
2-4 Lorong Ara Kiri, Lucky Garden, Bangsar, KL
Poh Lam Laksa
Another must-go spot for Sarawak laksa in Kuching, Poh Lam Laksa is one of the original stalwarts of this noodle dish. Staying true to their time-honoured recipe, the proprietors have kept it basic but remarkably tasty. The soup, which has a murky hue to it, brims with prawn flavour. Spice levels are kept moderate for less heat-oriented palates, but easily fired up with the accompanying sambal belacan (shrimp paste).
Abell Road, Kuching, Sarawak
7th Mile Kitchen
Tucked away on the ground floor of a block of apartments is this bare-basics shop selling a handful of Sarawak goodies, laksa being one of them. You can also find kolo mee and the rare-in-the-Klang-Valley tomato noodles. The essential spice-laden paste is a special order from Kuching, and is wonderfully aromatic. Using the finer meehoon, probably to cater to local tastes, 7th Mile Kitchen gets crowded on the weekends.
RG 24, Pangsapuri Kelana Sentral, Kelana Jaya, PJ
Madam Tang’s
There are three Madam Tang’s in Kuching, all serving their signature laksa in generous portions. Fans come here for the rich flavour of its stock, thanks to the special blend of spices and the use of high-quality, fresh ingredients. A good Sarawak laksa is reliant on its paste, and at Madam Tang’s, it is piquant. The dish comes topped with your choice of prawns – small, medium or jumbo – or even juicy lobsters. For this one, it’s worth going all out and large.
Jalan Petanak, Kuching, Sarawak
Alexis
For beginners who like a little luxe to go with their Sarawak laksa, there is Alexis. Still going strong after more than a decade of offering upscale local fare alongside their pizza and pasta, Alexis’ version of the dish is made palatable for a variety of taste buds. It is rich without smothering, kept respectfully spicy and packed with fat, fresh prawns. Besides, where else can you enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir and a live jazz performance with your Sarawak laksa?
Lot F209, 1st Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, KL
Read more: For the love of laksa: 7 fun facts about the beloved spicy Malaysian noodle
